Influential Jazz Singer Long Dies

Veteran jazz singer HUEY LONG has died. He was 105.Long, who enjoyed an 80-year career in jazz and popular music, passed away on Wednesday (10Jun09) in Houston Texas. Details of his death had not been released as WENN went to press. He began his musical career in 1925 playing banjo for Frank Davis' Louisiana Jazz Band and twenty years later began a short stint performing with R&B group the Ink Spots during their heyday. He recorded several songs with the group, including I’m Gonna Turn Off the Teardrops, I’ll Lose a Friend Tomorrow, The Sweetest Dream and Just for Me. Long was the last surviving member of the Ink Spots and had retired to Houston after decades of performing around the U.S. His daughter Anita set up a museum in the city dedicated to her father and commemorating the group. In addition to his daughter, Long is survived by two sons, Rene and Shiloh, and seven grandchildren.